SYDNEY, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australian resources giant BHP reported Tuesday a jump in half-year net profit boosted by demand for copper to meet the world's need for electrical power. BHP says it is the world's largest copper producer after raising output by about 30 percent in the past four years, including from its vast Escondida mine in Chile. "This is allowing us to maximise increased earnings from the recent run up in copper prices as well as gold," BHP chief executive Mike Henry said. The red metal is now the biggest contributor to overall earnings at BHP, Henry said. "With four compelling growth options across Chile, Argentina, Arizona and South Australia, we are well positioned to capture the forecast higher long term copper prices," he said in a statement.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 17, 2026 03:30 UTC